Effects of static forehead and forearm muscle tension on total respiratory resistance in healthy and asthmatic participants

Abstract

The impact of static muscle tension on total respiratory resistance (TRR) was examined. Participants (24 healthy, 24 asthmatic) performed biofeedback-assisted sequences of tensing (15 s) and relaxing (20 s) forehead and forearm muscles. Muscle tension levels were 40% or 80% of the maximum individual force. Oscillatory TRR, electromyograms, ventilation, heart period, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia were recorded. Baseline TRR did not change over the session as a whole. Decreases in TRR during forehead tension in both groups were accompanied by increases in end-expiratory volume, which could have mediated TRR changes. During forearm tension, decreases in TRR with minimal ventilation changes were only observed in healthy participants, whereas asthmatic patients revealed marked increases in respiratory volume and flow. These results indicate that static muscle activity and TRR are negatively related. Ventilatory changes can exaggerate or diminish evidence for this relationship.

Evaluation of a Respiratory Muscle Biofeedback Procedure–Effects on Heart Rate and Dyspnea

“…We have observed substantial increases in FRC during a biofeedbackassisted facial muscle tension task in healthy and asthmatic individuals (Ritz, Dahme, & Wagner, 1998). Similarly, increases in FRC have been observed during posing of emotional facial expressions, which was related to ratings of effort and heart rate accelerations (Boiten, 1996).…”

“…Finally, future studies should also determine the specificity of the respiratory muscle -dyspnea association in comparison with other skeletal muscles sites such as forehead or leg muscles. This will also have to take into account bronchodilatory effects of skeletal muscle tension (Freedman, 1992;Ritz et al, 1998;Rybicki et al, 1985).…”

Targeting pCO2 in Asthma: Pilot Evaluation of a Capnometry-Assisted Breathing Training

“…On average, initial lung function was close to 100% of predicted, and bronchodilator medication use The range of applicability of hypoventilation training for asthma patients remains to be determined. Although excessive minute ventilation and low pCO 2 are often reported in asthma (Osborne, O'Connor, Lewis, et al 2000;Ritz, Dahme, & Wagner, 1998;Varray & Prefaut, 1992, Kelsen, Fleegler, & Altose, 1979, a sizable number of patients show normal or close to normal levels of pCO 2 . The target for such patients can be stabilization of normal levels of pCO 2 by more regular breathing.…”

“…While oxygen saturation is usaully normal in asthma patients except for periods of severe exacerbation (Wagner, Hedenstierna, & Rodriguez-Roisin, 1996)), studies have found lower resting pCO 2 in patients than in healthy controls (Hombrey et al, 1988;Osborne, O'Connor, Lewis, et al 2000;Ritz, Wilhelm, Meuret, & Roth, 2003) or stronger minute ventilation or respiratory drive at baseline or in response to exercise (Ritz, Dahme, Wagner, 1998;Varray, Prefaut, 1992), added resistive loads (Kelsen, Fleegler, & Altose, 1979), or methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction (Fujimori et al, 1996).…”

Daily mood, shortness of breath, and lung function in asthma: Concurrent and prospective associations

“…Physical activity can be an important source of variance in assessments of lung function. Dynamic and static muscle activation can dilate the airways of healthy and asthmatic individuals [e.g., [28,29]]. In asthmatic patients, longer or more intense periods of physical exercise can lead to exercise-induced asthma, in which the airways often constrict with a peak response 10-20 min following the activity [30].…”